Civil War-era artifact turns out to be live explosive, Texas officials say

Core Impact Points

• The explosive was identified as a 'parrot round' from a Parrott rifle, a muzzle-loading cannon used by the Union during the Civil War.
• The device was safely transported to an explosive range at Camp Bullis, where officials disposed of it without incident.
• The incident highlights the importance of proper identification and handling of historical artifacts, which can sometimes be live explosives.
• The Parrott rifle was invented by Robert Parrott, a West Point graduate, and came in various sizes, ranging from 10 to 300 pounds.
• The discovery of the live explosive has raised concerns about the potential risks associated with collecting and owning historical artifacts.